Bumbling mage Fart Bartok and his sidekicks, doughty-but-diminutive Moxie Battleborne and elven girl-monk Pan Silversnow, continue to collect experience points by battling or befriending pirates, water goblins, muck elves, a mouthy devilfern ("the most ruthless, savage, cold-blooded potted plant ever to sail the fourteen seas!"), and even an enraged undead chef on the way to collecting a bucket of magical spew from the titular Bedazzler, a terrifying monster with a taste for exotic cuisine. Interspersing periodic plaques announcing points for each achievement along the way, Kendell supplies action-packed monochrome cartoon scenes aplenty (not seen in finished form) as Bartok leads his buddies into and out of "deep dookie" while inexpertly wielding silly, if often effective, spells and making good on the group motto: "Let's burn that bridge when we come to it." Gamers won't be the only readers happy to see the tumultuous trio successfully level up on their delightfully disgusting quest. Stay tuned for a nautical adventure next.

The fearless apprentices are back with more adventures as they try and prove themselves as heroes.Moxie Battleborne has become stronger, wielding her weapon like a proper Level 2 hero; Pan Silversnow, particular as ever, has increased her abilities-but Fart is still working on beginners' skills. It's been one month since they've been on their own after their masters were killed by goblins, and Fart yearns to be further along, mastering the most difficult spells. Now that the three have more experience under their belts, the Great and Powerful Kevin sends our favorite phibling assistant, TickTock, to retrieve the heroic trio for his next perilous quest. Kevin needs the barf of a bedazzler, a rare and potentially deadly creature. The trio sets off to the city of Wetwater in search of Diremaw the Dread, a menacing pirate captain who supposedly knows the whereabouts of a bedazzler. Along the way, they are kidnapped by muck elves, made to defeat the muck man SquishRabble, and robbed by a mischievous crew. Through it all, the friends stick together, overcoming assumptions about themselves and one another. Simple, humorous text and compelling action sequences from start to finish make this a fun, accessible read. Black-and-white illustrations convey helpful information in an amusing and succinct manner, often extending the meaning of the text. Pan is cued as Asian; Moxie appears White; Fart reads as Black.A rousing and wholesome sequel. (Fantasy. 8-11)

Gr 3-6 Fart (a mage-in-training) and his companions Pan (an elf) and Moxie (a dwarf) are once again commissioned by the Great and Powerful Kevin to find the elusive substance known as Bedazzler barf. Their task is rendered nearly impossible because there is only one person who knows the whereabouts of a Bedazzler: the wicked Pirate Diremaw, who kills anyone who ever sees his face. As the crew moves nonstop from adventure to adventure, they learn the value of teamwork, of not judging people on face value, and of getting past difficult personal experiences to benefit the quest. Despite the crass series title, this is an entertaining action/fantasy adventure with fighting, magic, and even hillbilly elves. Fart learns that he is enough, whatever his mage status, and a note from Pan at the end guarantees a sequel dealing with the possibly nefarious motives of the Great and Powerful Kevin. In all, here's a series that will appeal to the kids who love underwear, farting, and juvenile humor. The spot-on game-card illustrations will attract a separate set of fans, and those who like magical quests in easy doses will also find much to enjoy. VERDICT An entertaining, action-packed fantasy series that will appeal to readers of Max Brallier's "Last Kids on Earth" books. Elizabeth Friend, Wester M.S., TX